A study at the wildlife-livestock interface unveils the potential of feral swine as a reservoir for extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli.

Wildlife is known to serve as carriers and sources of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Due to their unrestricted movements and behaviors, they can spread antimicrobial resistant bacteria among livestock, humans, and the environment, thereby accelerating the dissemination of AMR. Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae is one of major concerns threatening human and animal health, yet transmission mechanisms at the wildlife-livestock interface are not well understood. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of ESBL-producing bacteria spreading across various hosts, including cattle, feral swine, and coyotes in the same habitat range, as well as from environmental samples over a two-year period. We report a notable prevalence and clonal dissemination of ESBL-producing E. coli in feral swine and coyotes, suggesting their persistence and adaptation within wildlife hosts. In addition, in silico studies showed that horizontal gene transfer, mediated by conjugative plasmids and insertion sequences elements, may play a key role in spreading the ESBL genes among these bacteria. Furthermore, the shared gut resistome of cattle and feral swine suggests the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes at the wildlife-livestock interface. Taken together, our results suggest that feral swine may serve as a reservoir of ESBL-producing E. coli.

A Small Epitope Tagging on the C-Terminus of a Target Protein Requires Extra Amino Acids to Enhance the Immune Responses of the Corresponding Antibody.

Protein-specific antibodies are essential for various aspects of protein research, including detection, purification, and characterization. When specific antibodies are unavailable, protein tagging is a useful alternative. Small epitope tags, typically less than 10 amino acids, are widely used in protein research due to the simple modification through PCR and reduced impact on the target protein's function compared to larger tags. The 2B8 epitope tag (RDPLPFFPP), reported by us in a previous study, has high specificity and sensitivity to the corresponding antibody. However, when attached to the C-terminus of the target protein in immunoprecipitation experiments, we observed a decrease in detection signal with reduced immunity and low protein recovery. This phenomenon was not unique to 2B8 and was also observed with the commercially available Myc tag. Our study revealed that Cterminal tagging of small epitope tags requires the addition of more than one extra amino acid to enhance (restore) antibody immunities. Moreover, among the amino acids we tested, serine was the best for the 2B8 tag. Our findings demonstrated that the interaction between a small epitope and a corresponding paratope of an antibody requires an extra amino acid at the C-terminus of the epitope. This result is important for researchers planning studies on target proteins using small epitope tags.

Microstructural characterization and inductively coupled plasma-reactive ion etching resistance of Y2O3-Y4Al2O9 composite under CF4/Ar/O2 mixed gas conditions.

In the semiconductor manufacturing process, when conducting inductively coupled plasma-reactive ion etching in challenging environments, both wafers and the ceramic components comprising the chamber's interior can be influenced by plasma attack. When ceramic components are exposed to long-term plasma environments, the eroded components must be replaced. Furthermore, non-volatile reactants can form and settle on semiconductor chips, acting as contaminants and reducing semiconductor production yield. Therefore, for semiconductor processing equipment parts to be utilized, it is necessary that they exhibit minimized generation of contaminant particles and not deviate significantly from the composition of conventionally used Al2O3 and Y2O3; part must also last long in various physicochemical etching environment. Herein, we investigate the plasma etching behavior of Y2O3-Y4Al2O9 (YAM) composites with a variety of mixing ratios under different gas fraction conditions. The investigation revealed that the etching rates and changes in surface roughness for these materials were significantly less than those of Y2O3 materials subjected to both chemical and physical etching. Microstructure analysis was conducted to demonstrate the minimization of crater formation. Mechanical properties of the composite were also analyzed. The results show that the composite can be commercialized as next-generation ceramic component in semiconductor processing equipment applications.

Human Milk-Derived Enterococcus faecalis HM20: A Potential Alternative Agent of Antimicrobial Effect against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The increasing global impact of skin diseases, fueled by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), emphasizes the necessity for alternative therapies with lower toxicity, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This study aims to isolate potential LAB from human milk and evaluate their efficacy against MRSA using various methods, including well diffusion, microdilution, crystal violet assay, enzymatic characterization, SDS-PAGE, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Among the 26 LAB screened, the human milk-derived strain HM20 exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against S. aureus CCARM 3089 (MRSA), which is a highly resistant skin pathogen. Through 16S rRNA sequencing, strain HM20 was identified as closely related to Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433T, which was subsequently designated as Enterococcus faecalis HM20. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of HM20 against S. aureus KCTC 3881 and S. aureus CCARM 3089 was determined to be 6.25% and 12.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the effective inhibition of biofilm formation in S. aureus KCTC 3881 and S. aureus CCARM 3089 was observed at concentrations of 12.5% and 25% or higher, respectively. The antibacterial effect of the CFS was attributed to the presence of organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins. Additionally, the antimicrobial peptides produced by HM20 were found to be stable under heat treatment and analyzed to have a size below 5 kDa. SEM image observations confirmed that the CFS of HM20 caused damage to the cell wall, forming pores and wrinkles on S. aureus KCTC 3881 and S. aureus CCARM 3089. This comprehensive investigation on strain HM20 conducted in this study provides foundational data for potential developments in functional materials aimed at addressing skin infections and antibiotic-resistant strains in the future.

Novel Heptaplex PCR-Based Diagnostics for Enteric Fever Caused by Typhoidal Salmonella Serovars and Its Applicability in Clinical Blood Culture.

Enteric fever is caused by typhoidal Salmonella serovars (Typhi, Paratyphi A, Paratyphi B, and Paratyphi C). Owing to the importance of Salmonella serovars in clinics and public hygiene, reliable diagnostics for typhoidal serovars are crucial. This study aimed to develop a novel diagnostic tool for typhoidal Salmonella serovars and evaluate the use of human blood for clinically diagnosing enteric fever. Five genes were selected to produce specific PCR results against typhoidal Salmonella serovars based on the genes of Salmonella Typhi. Heptaplex PCR, including genetic markers of generic Salmonella, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, and typhoidal Salmonella serovars, was developed. Typhoidal Salmonella heptaplex PCR using genomic DNAs from 200 Salmonella strains (112 serovars) provided specifically amplified PCR products for each typhoidal Salmonella serovar. These results suggest that heptaplex PCR can sufficiently discriminate between typhoidal and nontyphoidal Salmonella serovars. Heptaplex PCR was applied to Salmonella-spiked blood cultures directly and provided diagnostic results after 12- or 13.5-h blood culture. Additionally, it demonstrated diagnostic performance with colonies recovered from a 6-h blood culture. This study provides a reliable DNA-based tool for diagnosing typhoidal Salmonella serovars that may be useful in clinical microbiology and epidemiology.

Development of real-time PCR method for rapid and accurate detection of Centipedes (Scolopendra mutilans) in food.

Centipedes contain pharmacologically active compounds used as important medicinal material. However, the poisons produced by centipedes can cause human diseases; therefore, its use as a food ingredient is prohibited. This is the first report to develop a real-time PCR method for detection of centipedes. The primer and probe targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene were newly designed. The specificity was verified using ten species and was confirmed to amplify only the centipede species. The real-time PCR method exhibited good linearity with a high-determination coefficient (R 2 = 0.999) and a detection limit was 0.001 ng. The performance of our method was also verified using five real-time PCR platforms under Universal and Fast PCR conditions. Finally, its applicability to processed food was evaluated using binary insect mixtures, and at least 0.1% of centipedes was detected. Therefore, our method can specifically and sensitively detect centipedes in food, contributing to food safety.

Correlation with the Microstructure and Synergistic Physiochemical Etching Resistance of Nanocomposites under Fluorine-Containing Plasma Conditions.

In the semiconductor fabrication industry, high-power plasma is indispensable to obtain a high aspect ratio of chips. For applications to ceramic components including the dielectric window and ring in the semiconductor etching chamber, the Y2O3 ceramics have attracted interest recently based on excellent erosion resistance. When a high bias voltage is applied in a plasma environment containing fluorine gas, both chemical etching and ion bombardment act simultaneously on the ceramic components. During this etching process, severe erosion and particles generated on the ceramic surface can have effects on overall equipment effectiveness. Herein, we report the outstanding plasma etching resistance of Y2O3-MgO nanocomposite ceramics under a CF4/Ar/O2 gas atmosphere; the erosion depth of this material is 40-79% of that of the reference materials, Y2O3 ceramics. In a robust approach involving effective control of the microstructure with different initial particles and sintering conditions, it is possible to understand the relationship between etching behavior and microstructure evolution of the nanocomposite ceramic. The results indicate that the nanocomposite with fine and homogeneous domain distribution can decrease particle generation and ameliorate its life cycle; accordingly, this is a promising alternative candidate material for ceramic components in plasma chambers.

Antibody-mediated blockade for galectin-3 binding protein in tumor secretome abrogates PDAC metastasis.

The major challenges in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) management are local or distant metastasis and limited targeted therapeutics to prevent it. To identify a druggable target in tumor secretome and to explore its therapeutic intervention, we performed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based proteomic analysis of tumors obtained from a patient-derived xenograft model of PDAC. Galectin-3 binding protein (Gal-3BP) is identified as a highly secreted protein, and its overexpression is further validated in multiple PDAC tumors and primary cells. Knockdown and exogenous treatment of Gal-3BP showed that it is required for PDAC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, we revealed that Gal-3BP enhances galectin-3-mediated epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, leading to increased cMyc and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. To explore the clinical impact of these findings, two antibody clones were developed, and they profoundly abrogated the metastasis of PDAC cells in vivo. Altogether, our data demonstrate that Gal-3BP is an important therapeutic target in PDAC, and we propose its blockade by antibody as a therapeutic option for suppressing PDAC metastasis.

Comparison of fermentation characteristics of kimchi made with fresh and stored spring kimchi cabbage.

Kimchi cabbage, the main ingredient of kimchi, is often stored to cater for supply issues. However, kimchi made using stored cabbage show different fermentation characteristics from those using fresh cabbage (control kimchi). Herein, sensory evaluation and analysis of viable LAB, microbial communities, and metabolites in two types of kimchi were performed. The fermentation of kimchi made with stored cabbage proceeded slightly faster in the early and mid-fermentation stages than that of control kimchi. And, storage of kimchi cabbage affected the microbial community structure of kimchi, which caused differences in metabolites. In the early stage of kimchi fermentation, fructose and mannitol contents were higher in control kimchi than in kimchi made with stored cabbage, but in the late stage, mannitol and lactic acid contents were higher in kimchi made with stored cabbage. Control kimchi had higher levels of sweetness and texture than kimchi made with stored cabbage. Overall, kimchi made with stored cabbage had different fermentation characteristics compared with control kimchi.

YAP1 and PRDM14 converge to promote cell survival and tumorigenesis.

The transcriptional co-activator YAP1 oncogene is the downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, which regulates tissue homeostasis, organ size, regeneration, and tumorigenesis. Multiple cancers are dependent on sustained expression of YAP1 for cell proliferation, survival, and tumorigenesis, but the molecular basis of this oncogene dependency is not well understood. To identify genes that can functionally substitute for YAP1, we performed a genome-scale genetic rescue screen in YAP1-dependent colon cancer cells expressing an inducible YAP1-specific shRNA. We found that the transcription factor PRDM14 rescued cell proliferation and tumorigenesis upon YAP1 suppression in YAP1-dependent cells, xenografts, and colon cancer organoids. YAP1 and PRDM14 individually activated the transcription of calmodulin 2 (CALM2) and a glucose transporter SLC2A1 upon YAP1 suppression, and CALM2 or SLC2A1 expression was required for the rescue of YAP1 suppression. Together, these findings implicate PRDM14-mediated transcriptional upregulation of CALM2 and SLC2A1 as key components of oncogenic YAP1 signaling and dependency.

Development of ultrafast PCR assays for the event-specific detection of eleven approved genetically modified canola events in South Korea.

In Korea, genetically modified (GM) canola events derived from eleven single events have been authorized for food and feed, but not for cultivation. Therefore, the development of a rapid and accurate on-site detection method is crucial for the management of these approved GM canola events. In this study, ultrafast polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the event-specific detection of eleven GM canola events were developed. The limit of detection (LOD) on DNA-based and powder-based GM canola samples of each primer set using the ultrafast PCR ranged from 0.1% to 0.01%, while the quantitative analysis of these ultrafast PCR assays, indicated that the correlation coefficient (R2) ranged from 0.98 to 0.9903. These results indicate that the developed assays may have sufficient specificity and LOD capacity to detect the eleven specific GM canola events for the attendant management and monitoring, thus preventing GM canola from contaminating the natural environment.

All-Solution-Processed Van der Waals Heterostructures for Wafer-Scale Electronics.

2D van der Waals (vdW) materials have been considered as potential building blocks for use in fundamental elements of electronic and optoelectronic devices, such as electrodes, channels, and dielectrics, because of their diverse and remarkable electrical properties. Furthermore, two or more building blocks of different electronic types can be stacked vertically to generate vdW heterostructures with desired electrical behaviors. However, such fundamental approaches cannot directly be applied practically because of issues such as precise alignment/positioning and large-quantity material production. Here, these limitations are overcome and wafer-scale vdW heterostructures are demonstrated by exploiting the lateral and vertical assembly of solution-processed 2D vdW materials. The high exfoliation yield of the molecular intercalation-assisted approach enables the production of micrometer-sized nanosheets in large quantities and its lateral assembly in a wafer-scale via vdW interactions. Subsequently, the laterally assembled vdW thin-films are vertically assembled to demonstrate various electronic device applications, such as transistors and photodetectors. Furthermore, multidimensional vdW heterostructures are demonstrated by integrating 1D carbon nanotubes as a p-type semiconductor to fabricate p-n diodes and complementary logic gates. Finally, electronic devices are fabricated via inkjet printing as a lithography-free manner based on the stable nanomaterial dispersions.

A novel combination therapy for multidrug resistant pathogens using chitosan nanoparticles loaded with ß-lactam antibiotics and ß-lactamase inhibitors.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the greatest global threats. Particularly, multidrug resistant extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing pathogens confer resistance to many commonly used medically important antibiotics, especially beta-lactam antibiotics. Here, we developed an innovative combination approach to therapy for multidrug resistant pathogens by encapsulating cephalosporin antibiotics and ß-lactamase inhibitors with chitosan nanoparticles (CNAIs). The four combinations of CNAIs including two cephalosporin antibiotics (cefotaxime and ceftiofur) with two ß-lactamase inhibitors (tazobactam and clavulanate) were engineered as water-oil-water emulsions. Four combinations of CNAIs showed efficient antimicrobial activity against multidrug resistant ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The CNAIs showed enhanced antimicrobial activity compared to naïve chitosan nanoparticles and to the combination of cephalosporin antibiotics and ß-lactamase inhibitors. Furthermore, CNAIs attached on the bacterial surface changed the permeability to the outer membrane, resulting in cell damage that leads to cell death. Taken together, CNAIs have provided promising potential for treatment of diseases caused by critically important ESBL-producing multidrug resistant pathogens.

The Gut Microbiota of Newborn Calves and Influence of Potential Probiotics on Reducing Diarrheic Disease by Inhibition of Pathogen Colonization.

Calf diarrhea is one of the most concerning challenges facing both the dairy and beef cattle industry. Maintaining healthy gut microbiota is essential for preventing gastrointestinal disorders. Here, we observed significantly less bacterial richness in the abnormal feces with watery or hemorrhagic morphology compared to the normal solid feces. The normal solid feces showed high relative abundances of Osllospiraceae, Christensenellaceae, Barnesiella, and Lactobacillus, while the abnormal feces contained more bacterial taxa of Negativicutes, Tyzzerella, Parasutterella, Veillonella, Fusobacterium, and Campylobacter. Healthy calves had extensive bacterial-bacterial correlations, with negative correlation between Lactobacillus and potential diarrheagenic Escherichia coli-Shigella, but not in the abnormal feces. We isolated Lactobacillus species (L. reuteri, L. johnsonii, L. amylovorus, and L. animalis), with L. reuteri being the most abundant, from the healthy gut microbiota. Isolated Lactobacillus strains inhibited pathogenic strains including E. coli K88 and Salmonella Typhimurium. These findings indicate the importance of a diverse gut microbiota in newborn calf's health and provide multiple potential probiotics that suppress pathogen colonization in the gastrointestinal tract to prevent calf diarrhea.

AMOTL2 mono-ubiquitination by WWP1 promotes contact inhibition by facilitating LATS activation.

Contact inhibition is a key cellular phenomenon that prevents cells from hyper-proliferating upon reaching confluence. Although not fully characterized, a critical driver of this process is the Hippo signaling pathway, whose downstream effector yes-associated protein plays pivotal roles in cell growth and differentiation. Here, we provide evidence that the E3 ligase WWP1 (WW-domain containing protein 1) mono-ubiquitinates AMOTL2 (angiomotin-like 2) at K347 and K408. Mono-ubiquitinated AMOTL2, in turn, interacts with the kinase LATS2, which facilitates recruitment of the upstream Hippo pathway component SAV1 and ultimately promotes yes-associated protein phosphorylation and subsequent cytoplasmic sequestration and/or degradation. Furthermore, contact inhibition induced by high cell density promoted the localization and stabilization of WWP1 at cell junctions, where it interacted with Crumbs polarity proteins. Notably, the Crumbs complex was functionally important for AMOTL2 mono-ubiquitination and LATS activation under high cell density conditions. These findings delineate a functionally important molecular mechanism in which AMOTL2 mono-ubiquitination by WWP1 at cell junctions and LATS activation are tightly coupled to upstream cell density cues.

Development of triplex PCR for simultaneous detection of soybean and wheat.

There is a constant demand for an effective detection method of major allergens, such as soybean (Glycine max) and wheat (Triticum aestivum). In this study, a triplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for rapid detection of soybean and wheat in processed food products. This triplex PCR contains soybean- and wheat-specific primer pairs and universal primer pair for plant species. Each primer pair was applied to 22 different plant species and showed high specificity with no amplification in non-target species. The sensitivity of triplex PCR for soybean and wheat was 10 pg. The detection limit for soybean and wheat in pea mixture was 0.1%. The developed triplex PCR showed high sensitivity and specificity and was applied to 21 different commercial products. The results were in accordance with the label. Thus, this method is expected to be useful in preventing allergy-related issues via accurate labeling of major allergens in food.

Detection of GM Canola MS11, DP-073496-4, and MON88302 events using multiplex PCR coupled with capillary electrophoresis.

As of 2020, 11 GM canola events have been authorized as food for humans in Korea. However, there are no simultaneous multiplex detection methods for 3 GM canola events (DP-073496-4, MON88302, and MS11). Thus, we established the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method coupled with capillary electrophoresis to detect 3 GM canola events. To verify the specificity of event-specific primers, various GM crops of 3 GM soybean events, 6 GM maize events, 2 GM cotton events and 11 GM canola events were prepared. The limit of detection of the developed multiplex PCR was approximately 0.0125% for 3 GM canola events. Certified GM canola and stacked events were analyzed to validate the developed multiplex PCR. This study focuses on establishing multiplex PCR coupled with capillary electrophoresis for newly approved GM canola events and contributes to efficient monitoring GM canola samples in Korea.

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 on Clinical Improvement, Skin Condition and Urine Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles in Patients with Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 has anti-pathogenic bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. We investigated the dietary effect of CJLP55 supplement in patients with acne vulgaris, a prevalent inflammatory skin condition. Subjects ingested CJLP55 or placebo (n = 14 per group) supplements for 12 weeks in this double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study. Acne lesion count and grade, skin sebum, hydration, pH and surface lipids were assessed. Metagenomic DNA analysis was performed on urine extracellular vesicles (EV), which indirectly reflect systemic bacterial flora. Compared to the placebo supplement, CJLP55 supplement improved acne lesion count and grade, decreased sebum triglycerides (TG), and increased hydration and ceramide 2, the major ceramide species that maintains the epidermal lipid barrier for hydration. In addition, CJLP55 supplement decreased the prevalence of Proteobacteria and increased Firmicutes, which were correlated with decreased TG, the major skin surface lipid of sebum origin. CJLP55 supplement further decreased the Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio, a relevant marker of bacterial dysbiosis. No differences in skin pH, other skin surface lipids or urine bacterial EV phylum were noted between CJLP55 and placebo supplements. Dietary Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 was beneficial to clinical state, skin sebum, and hydration and urine bacterial EV phylum flora in patients with acne vulgaris.

Growth Inhibitory Effect of Garlic Powder and Cinnamon Extract on White Colony-Forming Yeast in Kimchi.

White colony-forming yeast (WCFY), also referred to as film forming yeast or spoilage yeast, that appear on the surface of kimchi can deteriorate the sensory properties of kimchi, such as odor and texture. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a method to inhibit the formation of the white colony in kimchi. First, alterations in kimchi manufacturing and storage conditions, including temperatures, pH, salinity, and anaerobic condition, were investigated to determine if they could inhibit the growth of WCFY (i.e., Kazachstania servazzii, Candida sake, Debaryomyces hansenii, Pichia kudriavzevii, and Hanseniaspora uvarum). Thereafter, the anti yeast activity of freeze-dried garlic powder (FGP) and cinnamon ethanol extract (CEE) was evaluated against WCFY using the agar-well diffusion assay. Following the direct application of FGP and CEE to the surface of the kimchi, the inhibitory effects on white colony were determined. The results showed that WCFY can grow under various manufacturing and storage conditions of kimchi. Regarding the growth inhibitory effect on WCFY, FGP exhibited anti yeast activity against four WCFYs. It did not show anti yeast activity against K. servazzii. However, CEE showed anti yeast activity against K. servazzii. In particular, the mixture of 10% FGP and 1.75% CEE, which was manufactured considering the influence of sensory properties in kimchi, exhibited anti yeast activity against all WCFY. Furthermore, the application of the FGP and CEE mixture supplemented with 0.02% xanthan gum to kimchi to enhance adhesion to the kimchi surface, led to a delay in the formation of a white colony on the surface of the kimchi by an average of 17 d at 10 °C compared to the control group. Collectively, the use of a FGP, CEE, and xanthan gum mixture could be an effective method for the inhibition of white colony formation on the surface of kimchi, extending its shelf life.

Antioxidant Activity of Sprouts Extracts Is Correlated with Their Anti-Obesity and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice.

Obesity is closely associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation leading to related metabolic diseases. Some natural extracts or polyphenols reportedly possess anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects as well as antioxidant activity. In this study, we assessed the correlations between the antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anti-inflammatory activities of plant extracts with potent antioxidant activity in diet-induced obese mice. Sprouts of Cedrela sinensis (CS) and Oenothera biennis L. (OB) were selected as the most potent antioxidant plant based on analysis of in vitro antioxidant activity of the extracts of ten different edible plants. C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and orally treated with 50% ethanol extract of CS or OB at 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight 5 days a week for 14 weeks. Body weight gain, weight of adipose tissue, adipocyte size, and levels of lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress markers were investigated. The CS or OB extract reduced body weight gain, visceral adipose tissue weight, adipocyte size, and plasma leptin levels, and expressions of adipogenic genes (PPARγ and fatty acid synthase) in the adipose tissue and liver of HFD-fed mice. Both extracts also reduced mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and oxidative stress-related genes (heme oxygenase- (HO-) 1 and p40phox). Body weight gain of mice was significantly correlated with visceral adipose tissue weight and adipocyte size. Body weight gain and adipocyte size were significantly correlated with plasma total cholesterol and 8-epi PGF2α levels, mRNA levels of leptin, HO-1, p40phox, and CD-11 in the adipose tissue, and mRNA levels of TNF-α in the adipose tissue and liver. These results suggest that the CS and OB extracts with potent antioxidant activity may inhibit fat deposition in adipose tissue and subsequent inflammation.